R&R CONVENTION PANEL KNOWS 'JACK' Radio and Records A standing-room only crowd turned out this morning to hear experts on the "play anything" format talk about why the controversial format is resonating with listeners.
Paragon Media CEO Mike Henry — whose company launched the first Jack station in Canada — believes the success of the format is indicative of a sea change for radio. "We knew within a few days that we'd hit a major vein," he said of his company's initial launch in Vancouver, noting that, despite the absence of jocks, the format — if done correctly — can give stations a unique identity. "There is personality to the station, it just doesn't come from people. It comes from writing and imaging," he said.
In fact, Henry believes the only way the format can work with major personalities is if the station has a top morning show. "If you have the biggest morning show with the widest music, you have a huge radio station," he said.
Infinity VP/Jack Kurt Johnson was on the hot seat for his company's decision to flip heritage Oldies station WCBS/New York to Jack, but he defended the move and even made light of some criticism levied yesterday during the Jacobs Media Summit by "Little Steven" Van Zandt, who likened the flip to exchanging the Statue of Liberty for a blow-up doll. Facing questioning from moderator Steve Goldstein, Johnson said he had someone who could help him explain the move. He then scurried off stage only to return with a well-endowed blow-up doll, which briefly took the stage before falling over and inadvertently mooning the audience.
Turning serious, Johnson said that, despite the controversy, dropping the Oldies format from WCBS was the right move. "This was not about blowing up the Oldies format," Johnson insisted. "It just wasn't the audience we wanted to reach at that time. I hate to make it as simple as that, but it really is just as simple at that." He added Infinity still has "vital" Oldies stations in its stable.
Meanwhile, Federated Media COO Tony Richardson believes that the emergence of the Jack-like formats has forced the industry to reconsider airing tight, heavily researched playlists and has re-ignited radio's creative streak. "We've been trying to make a science out of something that is supposed to be an art," he said. |